The Gujarat government has launched a state-wide menstrual hygiene initiative for more than 10 lakh girls studying in Classes 6 to 12 in government schools. The government has allocated an annual budget of ₹46.68 crore to provide high-quality, oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins to students free of cost.
Under the initiative, female teachers will be appointed as nodal officers to ensure the discreet distribution of sanitary pads, provide menstrual health education and oversee the scientific disposal of used napkins through proper waste segregation and functional incinerators.Implemented by the Education Department, the scheme provides an annual allocation of ₹360 per student. It covers girls studying in government upper primary, secondary and higher secondary schools across Gujarat.
The department has also directed schools to provide scientifically accurate information about menstruation and menstrual hygiene to help dispel myths, misconceptions and stigma surrounding the subject.